(Kepong, Saturday): I visited the MRR2 regularly, finding that the progress of the works has been slow since 7 February, 2006, when Bumi Hiway Consortium and Halcrow Group have begun to water-proof the extensive cracks with a special chemical from England.

MRR2 has 33 crossbeams, out of which 31 are cracked. It is unusual in that these cracks were first noticed in 2000 and by the end of 2004, an extraordinary chemical, ettringite, was found by Halcrow. By January, 2005, Halcrow recommended immediate water-proofing with specific chemical to be supervised by the company. Apparently, there was disgreement in the JKR on how to manage these cracks. The decision to repair the cracks was made a year later.

The Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu took the issue to the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on 2 Febraury, 2006. Abdullah announced the closure of MRR2 to all traffic the next day.

We can see scaffolding with green netting, showing that works is being carried out. But, the public feel that the progress is slow.

Samy says that it may take three to four months to complete the project. After water-proofing for one month, that is on 7 March, 2006, he intends to bring the matter to the Prime Minister again. So, how many times is he going to bring the project to Abdullah?

The Works Minister has said many things about MRR2 and his intention to close, to repair and to solve the conundrum has overwhelmed the people. Only the February 2, 2006 meeting with the Prime Minister has resulted in an action. Hence, it will be more convincing if JKR can put up large boards depicting the period of repair of MRR2 and the countdown. If it takes three months to complete the repair project, then, it would be from 7 February, 2006 to 2 May, 2006 (12 weeks or 84 days). A countdown to three months from 7 February means that there are another 74 days left. There must be quality control, the relative lack of which has caused much headache.